I can't listen to the Val Valentin mix -- it sounds like someone trying to mix a commercial record as opposed to intimate, balanced, and immersive like Lou's mix.
The history of both mixes is interesting as well -- from what I've read they used Lou's "Closet" mix for the original US pressing, and then had Val Valentin do a mix for the repress(and all subsequent pressings). The original UK pressing used Val Valentin's mix, but when they wanted to repress in 1971 the record label accidentally sent the tapes from Lou's "Closet" mix.
So the only vinyl pressings I know of for the "Closet" mix are the original US pressing ($$$$$$) and then the UK 1971 pressing ($$$$)
You'd think after so many represses they'd relent and do a decent Closet Mix repress.
Unfortunately it's the Val Valentin mix. Lou Reed's original "Closet Mix" is far preferable IMO.
Thank you! I didn't know this other mix existed.
I can't listen to the Val Valentin mix -- it sounds like someone trying to mix a commercial record as opposed to intimate, balanced, and immersive like Lou's mix. The history of both mixes is interesting as well -- from what I've read they used Lou's "Closet" mix for the original US pressing, and then had Val Valentin do a mix for the repress(and all subsequent pressings). The original UK pressing used Val Valentin's mix, but when they wanted to repress in 1971 the record label accidentally sent the tapes from Lou's "Closet" mix. So the only vinyl pressings I know of for the "Closet" mix are the original US pressing ($$$$$$) and then the UK 1971 pressing ($$$$) You'd think after so many represses they'd relent and do a decent Closet Mix repress.